James “Jim” Drysdale

James Joseph Drysdale III went home to God on May 22, peacefully and at home in the care of his wife, Pat, and daughter Lori, and Hospice of Red River Valley.

Jim was born January 15, 1950, in St Joseph, MO, to Leona (Ring) Drysdale and James Drysdale Jr. He grew up in Leavenworth, Kansas. Jim is survived by his wife Pat, sons Michael of Inkster, MI, and Paul (Nickie) Drysdale of Cadillac, MI; stepdaughters Lori (Jeff)Raske of Moorhead, and Glenda, (Greg)Swanson of Northfield,MN; stepson Jerome Myers (Heather Mcmillen) of Vashon Island, WA; his twin sister Linda (Jimmy)Mizell of Plymouth, NC, and sisters Beverly (Donnie) Cornett of Columbus, GA, and Patty (Jeff)Schloesser of Park City, UT; nieces and nephews Jennifer Clark, Josh Mizell, Steven and Timothy Cornett, Karen Lillis, and Ryan and Kelly Schloesser.

Jim had a boundless love for his seven grandchildren: P.J. Drysdale, Delaney, Hailey and Jamie Raske, Matthew Swanson, Skyler McMillen-Myers and Rain McMillen.

Jim graduated from Pittsburg State University with a degree in Business and then served two years with the U.S. Army. He later earned a Masters of Business degree from Michigan Technological University. He was employed for 34 years as Purchasing Manager at Presque Isle Power Plant in Marquette, MI, retiring in 2012.

Jim was a devout Catholic, a life- long learner and always a seeker of knowledge, particularly in his spiritual life. He graduated from Lay Ministry school, Diocese of Marquette, MI and earned a Masters Degree in Pastoral Studies from Loyola University, New Orleans, LA.

Jim was a long- distance runner for many years and competed in many races, including Grandma’s Marathon several times. He was also an avid biker and loved to ride a 20 miles loop along Lake Superior in Marquette, and later in South Moorhead, nearly every day.

Above all else, Jim was devoted to his family, his God and his church family at St. Joseph Catholic Church, where he served as a Eucharistic Minister, Lector, Altar Server, and on the Life and Justice Committee. Jim was an active member of St. Michael’s Catholic Church in Marquette, MI prior to moving to Moorhead. He loved spending time at Marygrove Retreat Center in Garden, MI and attended many Directed Silent Retreats there. He was also a faithful volunteer at the Dorothy Day Food Pantry, where he learned to grow garlic from a fellow volunteer and was delighted when he produced a small crop the first year.

Jim was preceded in death by his parents and several aunts and uncles.

Visitation will take place at Wright Funeral Home on June 7 from 6 to 7 pm, followed by a prayer service at 7. A Memorial Mass celebrating Jim’s life will be held June 8 at 10 am at St. Joseph’s, followed by a brief Veterans Honors ceremony and a light lunch. The service will be livestreamed here on Jim’s webpage at 10:00 A.M. June 8th.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Dorothy Day Food Pantry, Moorhead, or St. Joseph’s Catholic Church, Moorhead, MN.

Jim will be forever in our hearts and always deeply loved by his wife and family. Until we meet again, my love, fly high with the angels.